suggestions on radio repair - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

mlipmd · 06-24-2021

As is typical, on my '90, the radio was non-functional when I got the car, most likely due to leaking 31 y.o. capacitors. The head unit itself seems operational because the antenna goes up and down, the clock works, AM/FM works, stations can be selected and scanned, the cassette works and ejects properly but no sound comes out, and I got 12V at the speaker wires, so I don't think that or the computer under the PS dash is the problem. I removed all the amps and 2 of them were badly burned probably from leaking caps causing a short on the board, and they were sent to Bose Central in FL for repair. 3 of them were repairable i was told, one beyond repair and needed replacement with one of their refurbished units. I got them back yesterday and hooked them up today and no sound comes out of three of them and only very faint sound out of one in the right rear (which I think was their refurbed one, the other 3 my originals). I have contacted them but have not heard back yet.
What do you think is the likelihood that it is the CDM under the PS dash as the problem? From what I have seen online, that is a real PIA to get out and I really don't want to do that if I can avoid it.
Has anybody else had experience with Bose Central?

Edit - Just got a call from Kurt at Bose who swears it is the CDM now causing my problem. It has the same old capacitors that also can leak inside that unit so he wants me to pull it and send it in to him for repair. They also have new ones and I just may bite the bullet and get one of those so I don't have to fuss with this again. He says he got those new units from Bose and the capacitors are good despite their age because no juice has flowed through them and it is the heat from use that makes them leak. Sitting on a shelf for all these years according to him, does not damage them. Any thoughts about any of this?

Stay tuned.

06-24-2021	#1
mlipmd Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Crawfordville, FL Posts: 216	suggestions on radio repair As is typical, on my '90, the radio was non-functional when I got the car, most likely due to leaking 31 y.o. capacitors. The head unit itself seems operational because the antenna goes up and down, the clock works, AM/FM works, stations can be selected and scanned, the cassette works and ejects properly but no sound comes out, and I got 12V at the speaker wires, so I don't think that or the computer under the PS dash is the problem. I removed all the amps and 2 of them were badly burned probably from leaking caps causing a short on the board, and they were sent to Bose Central in FL for repair. 3 of them were repairable i was told, one beyond repair and needed replacement with one of their refurbished units. I got them back yesterday and hooked them up today and no sound comes out of three of them and only very faint sound out of one in the right rear (which I think was their refurbed one, the other 3 my originals). I have contacted them but have not heard back yet. What do you think is the likelihood that it is the CDM under the PS dash as the problem? From what I have seen online, that is a real PIA to get out and I really don't want to do that if I can avoid it. Has anybody else had experience with Bose Central? Edit - Just got a call from Kurt at Bose who swears it is the CDM now causing my problem. It has the same old capacitors that also can leak inside that unit so he wants me to pull it and send it in to him for repair. They also have new ones and I just may bite the bullet and get one of those so I don't have to fuss with this again. He says he got those new units from Bose and the capacitors are good despite their age because no juice has flowed through them and it is the heat from use that makes them leak. Sitting on a shelf for all these years according to him, does not damage them. Any thoughts about any of this? Stay tuned. Last edited by mlipmd; 06-24-2021 at 04:13 PM.